Tigers Work Deal To Land Cabrera, Willis

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) _ One swift move, two new stars. The Detroit Tigers are loading up for another run at the World Series, this time with Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis.

Detroit reached a preliminary agreement Tuesday to acquire Cabrera and Willis from the Florida Marlins for a package of six players, an unexpected blockbuster trade that developed quickly at the winter meetings.

In a huge deal that took the spotlight away from Boston's pursuit of Johan Santana, Florida gets lefty Andrew Miller, outfielder Cameron Maybin and four other prospects from the Tigers, a baseball official with knowledge of the talks said on condition of anonymity because the trade had not yet been finalized.

The Marlins also receive catcher Mike Rabelo and right-handers Burke Badenhop, Eulogio De La Cruz and Dallas Trahern. The players involved must pass physicals for the deal to be completed.

``It's very serious, but nothing is finalized yet because some issues need to get worked out,'' Tigers manager Jim Leyland told The Associated Press.

Cabrera, an All-Star in each of the past four seasons, would join an imposing lineup that already includes Magglio Ordonez, Gary Sheffield, Ivan Rodriguez, Curtis Granderson and Placido Polanco. The Tigers also acquired shortstop Edgar Renteria, a five-time All-Star, in a trade with Atlanta this offseason.

Willis, the 2003 NL Rookie of the Year and a two-time All-Star, is coming off a down year in which he went 10-15 with a 5.17 ERA. He would be part of a solid rotation with Justin Verlander, Kenny Rogers and Jeremy Bonderman as Detroit tries to reach the World Series again after losing to St. Louis in 2006.

Florida didn't even approach the Tigers until Tuesday morning. The Marlins told the Tigers they could have both stars for those six players, then Detroit called back about two hours later and agreed, the baseball official said.

``If it does happen, obviously they're getting two very good players,'' said Yankees manager Joe Girardi, who managed the Marlins in 2006. ``Miguel Cabrera is one of the finest hitters in the game. He can do so many things with a bat, whether you want him to hit a home run for you, you want to hit and run, work the count, get on base. And Dontrelle Willis has been one of the premier lefties in the National League.''

Willis was on vacation when he heard the news.

``I'm in Mexico right now with my family. I'm kind of busy,'' he told the AP.

Detroit had not been considered a contender for Cabrera or Willis. Both can become free agents after the 2009 season.

Cabrera and Willis were the last players left from Florida's 2003 championship team. Unable to secure a new ballpark, the Marlins keep shedding players when they are due to earn huge salaries. Cabrera made $7.4 million this year and Willis $6.45 million. Both were eligible for arbitration and likely to receive raises.

``I halfway expected one of them to get traded, but not both in the same deal. So it's a little bit of a shock,'' Marlins left fielder Josh Willingham said. ``It's deflating.''

In return, the Marlins get a pair of highly rated prospects: Maybin was the 10th pick in the 2005 amateur draft and Miller was selected sixth overall the following year.

The 24-year-old Cabrera made 23 errors this season at third base. To make room for him, it appears Detroit could trade third baseman Brandon Inge or left fielder Marcus Thames. Cabrera played the outfield in 2004 and 2005.

The Los Angeles Angels had pursued Cabrera for weeks. The Marlins didn't give the Angels a last chance.

``The deal they appear to have reached, they felt was a better fit for them,'' Angels general manager Tony Reagins told a pool reporter.